US Secretary of State Condemns North Korea's Ballistic Missile Launch in Call with Japanese Foreign Minister

[Asia Economy Reporter Seulgina Jo] Antony Blinken, U.S. Secretary of State, condemned North Korea's ballistic missile launch during a phone call with Yoshimasa Hayashi, Japanese Foreign Minister, on the 5th (local time).

According to the State Department, Secretary Blinken expressed during the call that the United States' commitment to Japan's defense remains steadfast in relation to North Korea's ballistic missile launch. The two sides also discussed cooperation measures for the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and lasting peace.

On the 5th, North Korea launched one ballistic missile suspected projectile into the East Sea, according to Korean time. North Korea's Korean Central News Agency claimed on the 6th that the ballistic missile was a hypersonic missile and hit the target set at 700 km with no deviation.

Countries including the United States condemned North Korea's ballistic missile as a clear threat to the international community. A U.S. State Department spokesperson responded to domestic media inquiries, stating, "This launch violates multiple United Nations Security Council resolutions," and urged "North Korea to engage in dialogue."

Discussions on U.S.-Japan responses to North Korea are also expected to take place during the "2+2" virtual meeting of the foreign and defense ministers of both countries, scheduled for the afternoon of the 6th Eastern Time. The U.S. will be represented by Secretary Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, while Japan will be represented by Foreign Minister Hayashi and Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi.

During the call, Secretary Blinken and Foreign Minister Hayashi reaffirmed their commitment to modernizing the U.S.-Japan alliance, aligning strategic objectives, and strengthening further cooperation, the State Department said. They also reaffirmed support regarding the situation in Ukraine, where tensions have escalated due to recent threats from Russia.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.